CHARLOTTETOWN – The Island Storm has announced Wednesday coach Tim Kendrick will be with the team for the upcoming 2018-2019 NBL season.

"I am very excited to be heading into my second year with the Island Storm,” said Kendrick. “Having a year under my belt, and after learning some of the unique challenges of the pro game, I am really feeling much better prepared going into next season.”

Faced with a challenge out of the gate, Kendrick only had one returning player on the roster at the start of the season. Despite that, the Storm’s 19-21 regular season record was the best of its last three seasons.

“During our coaching search last year it was paramount to find a coach that valued community engagement, understood the business operations, and of course was passionate about winning. Coach Kendrick was that person when he walked in the door last year and he still is today,” said Storm vice president Brett Poirier.

“On top of that, his ability to connect with players is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. He truly cares about his team and in turn they have a great deal of respect for him.”

Kendrick joined the Storm in August of 2017 after a successful six-year run as the coach of the UPEI Panthers Men’s Basketball team.

Prior to coaching the Panthers he was the bench boss at Horton High School in his hometown of Wolfville, NS., where he led the school to 16 divisional titles and more than 700 wins over 22 years.

He and his family have called P.E.I. home for the past seven years. “I am so appreciative of the great support and positive comments that I have personally received from so many of our Storm fans and supporters throughout last season and beyond.”

The Storm released its protected player list last week, which included the likes of Franklin Session, Carl Hall, Tyler Scott, Kemy Osse, Chris Johnson, Brad States and Chris Anderson.

Within the coming weeks the first player signings will be announced as the team prepares for its eighth season of professional basketball on the island, which is set to tip off in mid-November.